Ladder



Hl Hl BRANN AND G. H. TENBHOOK.

. LADDER.

APPLlcATloN min Nov. 23, 1921.

Y 1,430,281 PatentedSept. 26, 1922.

MHIHIIIII Illllllllllllillllll xllllll Harz JELBra/nn George l.Yenbrook Patented Sept. 26, 1.922.

Nr1estce.

HARRY E. IBRANN AND GEORGE H. TNBROOK, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIORNIA,

ASSIGNORS TO HAVISIDE COMPANY, OF SAN FRANCESCO, CALFORNIA, A COR- PORATION OF CALIFORNIA.

LADDER.

Application filed November 23, 1921. `Serial No. 517,164.

To all 'whom t may concern.'

Be it known that we, HARRY H-BRANN and GEORGE H. TnNnoon, 'citizens of the United States, residing at the city and county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented new and useful lmprovements in Ladders,'of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to ship ladders and especially to that type whichr is known as Jacobs ladders,

Ship ladders of the type referred to are usually sectional in construction and fleX- ible to permit the ladders to be rolled' or folded into as small a unit as possible for storage on board ship, etc., when not in use. Each section of a ladder of this character carries one rung or step and the several sections are usually connected by a pair of parallel ropes or cables disposed on each side, which are pulled together and lashed or seized between each ladder section. Two lashed or seized connections arethus formed between each step or section of the ladder and are from certain points of view objectionable; first because the connections are stiened to such an extent as to render folding of the latter difficult, and secondly' because the lashing or seizing is subjected to considerable strain when folded or bent and therefore often gives away. One of the objects of the present invention is to overcomethe objections referred to and to generally improve and simplify the construction of ladders such as described.k

Another object, and one more specifically stated, is to connect the several sections of a ladder by a pair of cables one on each side andv to so reeve each cable that seizing between the sections will be avoided and greater flexibility obtained.

Further objects will hereinafter appear.

The invention consists ofthe parts and the construction, ycombination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more fully described and claimed, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. l is a front view of the ladder.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, saidl elevation being partially in section.

Referring to the drawings in detail, A indicates in general a ladder constructed of a series of side sections 2 2, 3--3 and 4 4, which are interspaced and connected by means lof rungs orsteplike members 5. The particular outline or shape ofthe side sectionsis more or less immaterial, but they are preferablyl elliptical in shape as shown in side elevation.` The opposite edges are grooved from end to end as illustrated at 6 and a cable 7 is reeved about the side sections toexibly connect the same as will hereinafterbe described. In the present instance two cables are employed, one for each series of side sections` and as both cables are y reeved in the same manner, the description of one will suliice. y

The cables employed for this purpose are generally spoken of as lanyards. A freel end is provided as indicatedl at 8 which 'serves the function of fastening the ladder when swung overboard to the frail, eyebolts or whatever may be most handy or convenient. rlhe free ends may therefore be of any suitable length as they only serve the function of a fastening or securing means. The cable is wound one turn about a thimble such asillustrated at 9, and it is then reeved alternately around opposite sides of the side sections 2, 8 and 4.-', as shown. lt is then passed around the lowermost section 4 as indicated at 10, and again alternately reeved around opposite sides as just described, the free end finally passing aroundthethimble 9, and being secured to the long end 8 by means of lashing yorseizing as shown at 11. By reeving the cable in this manner,it can be seen that a crossing `will be vformed betweeneach ladder section,v as indicated at 12 and 13, and vthat this section will be sufficiently flexible to permit the ladder sections to be folded or rolled with relation to each other when the ladder is to be stored away. As previously stated there are two cables employed as shown in Fig. 1, and it should be understood that both cables are reeved about the side sections in a similar manner. The cables serve two functions, first that of flexibly connecting the side sections, and secondly that of maintaining an alignment between the same. Such alignment is secured by passing the cable through itself at the intersecting pointsindicated at 12, 13 and 14, that is during the reeving of the cable a marline-spilre or the like is employed. For instance when the cable has been passed around the lowermost section e, as indicated at 10, it is then brought up around the opposite side shown at 10a, and it can be seen that it will cross itsel'i at the point 13 so that it may be reeved around the side l5 or the nent side section. lit this point the lirst section ot the cable is separated by inserting a marline-spile or like tool and the cable end is passed through itsel'l as shovvn at l5. This is o' importance it eliminates the use ci lashing or seizing or any nature and it furthermore permits absolute alignment ot the side sections. For instance it the cables should be placed side by side at the intersecting or crossing points shown at l2, i3 and la, it is obvious that 'perfect alignment could not be obtained, and furthermore that displacement ot the cable with relation to the grooves 6 might take place. Such displacement however is avoided by passing vthe cable through itselit at each intersecting` poin t. The usual lashing is eliminated and the connection is rendered vmore flexible.

From the foregoing it can be seen that an exceedingly simple and substantial ladder has been provided; perfect alignment between the successive side sections is secured; seizing' between the connections is eliminated, and greater flexibility is attained, thus permitting the sections to be folded closely against each other when the ladder is not in use, and Yiturtherniore relieving the cable 'ot' all strains, as the told, Whether made in one direction or another, will tollenv the natural bend oit the cable. ln the present instance a comparatively short ladder, consisting oit only three sections has been shown, but it is obvious that the number ot sections employed may be increased or decreased proportionately to the length required; similarly While the structure a whole is more or less specifically illustrated, We wish it understood that various changes in torni, and proportion may be resorted 'to Within the scope of the appendedclaims. W e also Wish it understood that the materials and finish ot the several parts employed may such as the experience and judgment or'I the manufacturer may dictate or varying uses may demand.

Having thus described our invention, What L., inse-,eci

We claim and desire to secure by Letters lBatent is* l. ladder oi the character described, ccmprising` spaced sides, each side comprising spaced sections and a pair ot cables, each section having a surrounding groove, and rungs connecting the sections 'oi opposite sides, said cables being alternately reeved around opposite sides ot said sections in the respective grooves and thereby embracing the sections, each cable crossing its companion cable between said sections and at such points et crossing being reeved one through the other in alignment With the grooves ot the sections so as to insure against displacement ol the cables trom the grooves.

2. ladder ol' the character described, comprising spaced sides, each side comprising spaced sections and a pair of cables, rungs connecting opposite sections of opposite sides, the cables being alternately reeved around the edges ot said sections with each cable o' each side crossing and being reeved one through the other in alignment 'ivith the sections so as to maintain the sections in alignment when vthe ladder n cables, each section and each thimble having l a groove in its edge and the cables being alternately reeved around opposite sides ot' said sections in the respective grooves and er..lnacing the sections and also extending in opposite directions into the grooves ot' the respective thimbles, cach cable crossing companion cable between said sections and between the uppermost section and the corresponding thimble and at suc-h points ov crossing being reeved one through the other in alignment with the respective grooves ot the sections and corresponding thimble so as to provide for flexibility and maintain the sections of each side in alignment with the respective thimble, and rangs connecting opposite sections of the opposite sides.

GEORGE TENBRK. 

